ADL Congratulates U.S. and Israeli Leaders for Clear Articulation of Danger Posed by a Nuclear-Armed Iran

New York, NY, March 6, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their clear articulation of the danger posed by an Iran with nuclear weapons capability and the imperative to stop it. In a letter to Mr. Netanyahu, the League congratulated him on his visit to the United States, his meetings with President Obama and his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director issued the following statement:

Over the past three days we have heard clear and forceful articulations by the American and Israeli administrations of the dangers posed by an Iran with nuclear weapons capability, and the need to stop Iran from producing a weapon. Both President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu noted that the policy goals of the U.S. and Israel regarding the Iranian nuclear threat are closer today than at any time in the past few years.

While some media reports have sought to highlight disagreements between the U.S. and Israel, in speeches to the AIPAC Policy Conference, President Obama, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta made clear that the U.S. and Israel stand together against the Iranian threat. They made clear that the U.S and Israel share the same objective: to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and, to further that objective, containment is not an option and the possibility of a military intervention remains on the table. The president made clear that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a national security interest of the United States, and of the entire international community.

We remain cognizant that, given Israel's proximity to Iran, and the Iranian regime's record of threatening the Jewish state, there is a fundamental difference in how Israel and the U.S. perceive this threat. Mr. Netanyahu affirmed Israel's desire and preference for a diplomatic resolution while emphasizing Israel's right and obligation to defend its citizens. He made clear that "the Jewish state will not allow those who seek our destruction to possess the means to achieve that goal." This position was also recognized by President Obama, who clearly declared: "Israel's sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs."

We look forward to the continued close cooperation between the U.S. and Israel in the ongoing efforts to stop Iran from realizing its nuclear weapons ambitions.

ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.